The government should take action to reduce Britain’s "excessive" consumption of sugar, its public health advisers said yesterday.
Marketing, promotion and large amounts of sugar in manufactured food are all contributing to increasing sugar consumption, according to Public Health England.
It calls for a "broad" attack on the problem, including restrictions on marketing sugary products to children and discouraging price promotions of sweet products.
The government should also consider a sugar tax or levy – though this could be less effective than other measures, according to the report.
And the public sector, which spends £2.4 billion a year on catering, should follow government standards in buying food, the report says.
The report says children and young people consume on average three times the recommended amount of sugar.
Chief nutritionist Dr Alison Tedstone said: “PHE’s evidence review shows there is no silver bullet solution to the nation’s bad sugar habit.
"A broad and balanced approach is our best chance of reducing sugar consumption to healthier levels and to see fewer people suffering the consequences of too much sugar in the diet."
The report was welcomed by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Medical Association.
College president Professor Jane Dacre said: "With more than 60% of adults and 20% of reception-aged children in England already overweight or obese, it is vital that we all take concerted action to tackle this growing problem.
"Today’s evidence review only strengthens the case for government, regulators, and food and drinks manufactures and retailers, to introduce evidence-based action that will not only help us all to live healthier lives, but as PHE highlights, could also save the NHS £500 million per year."
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